Circuit controller



July 5, 1932. R, G. TUGGLE 1,866,378

' CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Filed Nov. 5. 1929 Patented July 5, 1932 UNITED STATES ROBERT G. TUGGLE, F PETERSTOW, WEST T'IBGINIA cIncUI'r CONTROLLER Application led November 5, 1929. Serial No. 404,928'.

This invention relates to a circuit controller adaptable for use with a directionalr signal for motor vehicles and the like, the general object of the invention being to provide means whereby the left or right signal can be closed by hand, with means for automatically breaking the circuit of either signal after the turn has been made and the front wheels of the vehicle brought back into straight position.

This invention also consists in certain other f features of construction and in the combinationy and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail, referencewill be'had to the accompanying drawing, which is a diagrammatic view of the invention.

In this View, the letter A indicates theleft hand signal lamp and the letter B the right hand lamp. A contacty 1 is connected by a conductor 2 with each lamp, it being understood that each lamp is grounded, as at 3, and each contact 1 is adapted to be engaged by a contact on a switch arm 4 which is normally held in raised position by a spring 5. A button 6 is carried by each arm so that the arm can be moved to circuit closing position by placingy the finger on said button. The arm 1s connected by a. conductor 7 with one terminal of a magnet 8, the other terminal being connected by a conductor 9 with a switch arm 10, the two arms 10 being connected together by a spring 1l which normally holds the two arms in engagement with a contact 12 which is connected by a conductor 13 with a battery 14 or other source of supply. Thus when either arm is depressed, the circuit will be closed and the current flowing through the magnet will cause its core 15 to hold the arm i in circuit closing position. Each switch arm 10 is pivoted intermediate its ends, as shown at 16, to a support 17 arranged adjacent a part of the steering column and the inner ends of the arms extend into a casing 18 which surrounds the column. 'y

Al pair of semi-circular strips 19 is slidably arranged within the casing and each striphas one end connected with an arm 10 by a pin and slot connection shown generallyl at 20. A pin 21, arranged between the inner ends of the arms 10, acts as a stop to limit the movement of the strips. A disk 22 is connected with the steering shaft and carries a 5;,v pair of pivoted dogs 23 which are arranged diametrically opposite each other and a pair of springs 24 engage each dog and tend to hold it in a horizontal position. Each stri is provided with a toothed portion 25 which is adapted to be engaged by the dog.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the driver wishes to make a left hand turn, for instance, before making the turn, he would depress the switch arm 4 which con- 66; trols the circuit of the lamp A. This will close the circuit to the lamp so ythat the lamp will be lighted to indicate that the vehicle is to make a left hand turn and as the circuit to the magnet is also closed, the arm 4 will re- 7o main in closed position. As the steering wheel is turned to make the turn, the left hand dog will kmove downwardly over the plain part of its strip while the right hand dog will ratchet over the toothed portion of the other strip so that the switches 10 remain closed, but when the steering wheel is turned to straighten out the vehicle, the right hand dog will be moved downwardly and as it engages the teeth of the right hand strip, it will -y cause said strip to move, which in turn will move the lever l0 away from the contact 12 and thus break the circuit to the lamp A and to the magnet, so that the switch 4 moves to circuit breaking position. When the right hand dog leavesthe toothed portion of the strip, the spring 11 returns the lever 10 to its normal closed position and the parts then assume the position they occupy in the drawing. When the switch arm 4 of the lamp B is 9W closed, the same action takes place, though, of course, on the opposite side of the device. The dogs 23 in their mountings can snap oif of the toothed portions 25 ofthe racks under certain movements of the steering shaft.

Thus I have provided simple means for closing the circuit of a signal lamp by hand and then breaking the circuit by the movement of the steering wheel.

It is thought from the foregoing descrip- 199 auf tion that the advantages and novel features of the invention Will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is 4 In a device of the kind described, a disc adapted to be actuated by a steering Wheel shaft, spring tension dogs' pivotedat opposite points on the disc, rack members engaged by the dogs and a normally closed electrie switch having levers connected with the racks and actuated thereby to open the switch- In testimony whereof I allix'myy signature.

ROBERT G. TUGGLE. 

